US Army PregnancyPostpartum Physical Training Program PPPT

1
US Army Pregnancy/Postpartum Physical Training
Program (PPPT)
Business Case Analysis February 2008
US Army Center for Health Promotion and
Preventive Medicine, Health Promotion and
Wellness 5158 Blackhawk Rd APG, MD 21010
410-436-4656 DSN 584
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Purpose

• Review program background development
• Review program key points and components
• Review requirements for PPPT implementation
• Present budget actions to facilitate PPPT
  implementation
• Provide recommendations for Army-wide program
  implementation

3
Facts

• Army has a responsibility to provide safe,
  adequate training and guidance for Soldiers to
  meet fitness standards it requires
• Priority is to maintain fitness during pregnancy
  and to return fit Soldiers back to unit PT after
  delivery
• Exercise during pregnancy and postpartum is
  beneficial to the Soldier and her baby
• Retention was enhanced by participation in PPPT

4
Challenge
Maintain Fitness and Retention

• 15,703 AD females (04 data) deliver child
  annually
• No standardized Army PT program for
  pregnant/postpartum Soldiers, therefore
• Reduction in fitness levels
• Increase in injuries/ illnesses
• Retention concern
• Current Army policies inadequate
• Army Family Action Plan issue with G-1 as the
  lead since 2002

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AFAP Issue 532

• Standardized Army-wide Pregnancy Program for
  Soldiers
• Scope
• Limited installations offer educational and
  physical fitness training programs for pregnant
  and postpartum Soldiers
• Unavailability or lack of participation has a
  negative impact on readiness and well being of
  the Soldier
• Unsatisfactory APFT scores and meeting weight
  standards
• Conference Recommendations
• Develop and implement a standardized, mandatory,
  Army-wide physical training program that
  encompasses both the period of pregnancy and
  postpartum period with command emphasis on
• Educational information and physical fitness
  training
• Effective return to individual readiness,
  physical fitness and weight standards.

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Solution

• WHAT?
• Establishment of Army-wide PPPT program IAW
  MEDCOM recommended standards and policies
• HOW?
• G3 mandate approved PPPT Program as a component
  of US Army Physical Fitness Program with
  coordination from MEDCOM and IMCOM.
• WHY?
• Consistent with AR 350-1, Education and Training
  and AR 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness
• Shown to be effective and safe
• Provides benefits of readiness/medical cost
  avoidance

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Development/Implementation
Program Development
Briefing
8
Science-Based Program
Affect Readiness by Maximizing the Return to
Fitness
Recommends implementation of pregnancy/PP fitness
programs at all installations with emphasis on
consistency, strength and aerobic conditioning.
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PPPT Program Resources

• Manuals
• Video Tapes
• Implementation Guide
• Educational Presentations
• USACHPPM Website
• Resources
• Data reports
• Sample briefings
• Leaders Training Course

10
Program Evaluation

• Readiness Impact
• Pre-pregnant vs. Post-delivery APFT measures
  indicate FITNESS LEVELS MAINTAINED
• No statistically significant difference in
• pre-pregnant and post-delivery APFT total scores
  
• Retention Impact
• 14 PPPT participants influenced by program NOT
  to Chapter 8
• Economic Benefit
• Estimated cost avoidance of 18,421,020 per year
• Readiness and medical costs avoided

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Pregnancy/ Postpartum Exercises

• Centering
• Strengthening
• Flexibility
• Special exercises
• Cardiovascular
• Relaxation/ Stress Management
• Core strength/ calisthenics

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Local PPPT Implementation Commanders
Consolidated Installation Program
 
PREGNANCY
POSTPARTUM
9 Months
6 Months

Diagnosis
Delivery
Convalescence
Profile Recovery
Postpartum PT
APFT
6 Wks
4 Wks
40 Wks
Up to 14 Wks
Physical Training in Unit Pregnancy PT Program
Physical Training in At-Home Postpartum PT
Program
Physical Training in Unit Postpartum PT Program
  Regular unit PT activities begin at conclusion
of 6-month recovery period as outlined in AR
350-1.
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Endstate

• PPPT as an Army program with
• Execution by Senior Commanders
• Dedicated resources
• Requirements to meet
• Standardization
• Professional program management
• Certified training expertise
• Metric to measure program effectiveness
• Support from MEDCOM and IMCOM to mission
  commanders for specified tasks

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Requirements
Commanders Consolidated Installation Program
PERSONNEL
FUNDING (annual) using existing personnel and
equipment for local programs
Cost per enlisted pregnancy per recurring year
16 Cost Army-wide (32 local programs-
2K/installation) 64,900 Cost for a proponent
staff person to oversee program 125,000 Cost
avoidance (readiness and medical)
18,421,020
15
Cost / Benefit
16
Benefits
17
Coordination
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Proposed Implementation Milestones

• TSG endorse program (completed)
• ARs and policies updated (complete except for AR
  350-1))
• G1 endorse program (complete)
• G3 accept proponency
• IMCOM support provided
• MOUs and support agreements written
• Implement PPPT Program Army-wide
• Local personnel trained ( in progress)

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Recommendations Establishment of Army PPPT as
component of Armys Physical Fitness Training
Program IAW the developed standards.

• TSG has endorsed PPPT program by
• Approving staffing to G-1, G-3, and IMCOM for
  implementation.
• Update to AR 40-501 completed.
• Recommend the following -
• G-1 facilitate Army-wide PPPT implementation by
• Request G-3 and IMCOM endorsement of PPPT program
• Distribute policies to implement PPPT programs
  Army-wide
• Update AR 600-9 and AR 600-63 as needed.
• G-3 accept proponency by
• Approving proposed program and designating
  specified proponent
• Authorizing resourcing of the Army PPPT Program
• Updating AR 350-1 and FM 21-20 as necessary
• IMCOM support proposed PPPT program by
• Provision of adequate and appropriate facilities/
  equipment/ personnel to meet requirements for
  implementation as component of US Army Physical
  Fitness Training Program